Public Relations
Public Relations
Marketing, Advertising & Public Relations
Public Relations workers manage communication and relationships between organizations and their publics.
What You Would Do
- Public Relations workers manage communication and relationships between organizations and their publics
- Follow the laws
- Policies
- Evidence and professional standards that apply to the role
- Define the audience
- Goal
The exact work depends on the employer, audience, product, campaign, channel and level of responsibility.
Types of Work You Could Explore
Media relations — Explore media relations. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
Press materials — Explore press materials. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
Issues — Explore issues. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
Reputation — Explore reputation. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
Executive communications — Explore executive communications. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
Events — Explore events. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
Measurement — Explore measurement. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
You do not have to choose a specialty before you begin. Job titles and specialty names vary among employers and training programs, and one job may include more than one type of work.
Who Might Like This Career
This career may appeal to you if you are interested in media relations, press materials, issues. It can be a good fit for people who enjoy careful problem solving, accurate work, learning how audiences, messages, channels and results connect and seeing a clear result from their effort.
Where You Could Work
agencies, corporations, government, nonprofits, healthcare and education.
Pay and Job Outlook
Median annual pay: $74,750 in May 2025 for public relations specialists, a related comparison occupation.
These are national U.S. figures for the occupation or comparison group named above, not a promised starting salary. Pay can vary considerably by location, experience, specialty, overtime, union agreement, employer, role, industry, experience, credentials and location. People starting the career commonly earn less than experienced workers; paid training programs may increase wages as skills grow.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics career and pay information
Skills You Can Start Building
- Public Relations workers manage communication and relationships between organizations and their publics
- Follow the laws, policies, evidence and professional standards that apply to the role
- Learn about an audience, market, product and communication goal
- Write, design or coordinate messages for appropriate channels
- Use research and performance data to guide decisions
- Manage deadlines, budgets, approvals and brand requirements
- Check claims, permissions, privacy and advertising compliance
How Public Relations Work Is Changing
Marketing automation, streaming media, privacy changes, connected customer systems and rapid content production are changing the field.
AI may assist with research, drafts, images, personalization and performance analysis. Workers must check accuracy, rights, disclosure, bias, privacy and brand suitability.
Marketing uses digital platforms and automation, but people remain responsible for truthful claims, audience judgment, brand decisions, privacy and the quality of published work.
Education and Training
Preparation may include paid entry-level work, apprenticeship, CTE, certificates, college, portfolio projects or employer training. Employers often look for demonstrated writing, analysis, platform or campaign experience.
Career Pathways and Apprenticeship Availability
Typical pathway: Employer training and related paid experience are common; apprenticeship availability varies.
Public-relations apprenticeships and internships exist. Professional credentials are generally voluntary.
A Registered Apprenticeship follows an approved training plan and combines paid work, supervised learning, related instruction and progressive skill development. Some employers use the word apprenticeship for paid programs that are not registered. Ask the sponsor which type it is and what credential, wage progression and job it provides.
Licenses and Certifications
Most marketing roles are not licensed, but privacy, advertising, endorsement, intellectual-property and industry rules apply. Platform certificates can support learning but do not guarantee employment.
Look up licenses in your state
Career Pathways to Learn Public Relations and Gain Experience
Apprenticeship — Learn through real paid work with experienced workers who teach and guide you, supported by technical instruction and a structure for developing and measuring progress. Some apprenticeships are Registered Apprenticeships; others are not.
Entry-Level Jobs — Gain paid experience with tools, equipment, customer service, safety and workplace practices through beginning work in the field.
Youth Apprenticeship — Begin developing career skills through work while continuing high-school education where a suitable program is available.
Career and Technical Education CTE — Build applied skills through marketing, business, communications, digital media, design, data or event programs.
Pre-Apprenticeship — Learn introductory skills, safety and workplace expectations while preparing for apprenticeship or employment. Verify that the program connects participants with real employers and does not charge tuition simply for possible access to an apprenticeship.
Co-op — Combine education with career-related work experience through a high school, CTE program, community college or other educational program.
Paid Work-Based Learning — Get paid to do real work for an employer while learning skills and gaining experience related to the career.
Platform, Employer or Industry Training — Learn specific advertising, analytics, content, customer-management or marketing-technology systems.
From Learning to Experienced Work
Skills develop through practice and experience. People who are new to the work usually receive more instruction and supervision. As they demonstrate skill, judgment and reliability, they take on more difficult work, greater responsibility and more independent assignments.
A common progression: Learn → Practice → Gain Experience → Build Confidence → Take on More Responsibility → Work More Independently
Experienced workers may eventually supervise work or teach and guide newer workers, trainees and apprentices.
Where This Career Can Lead
With experience, a strong portfolio and measurable results, you may specialize, lead campaigns, manage a brand or channel, direct a team, consult or run an agency or business.
Questions to Ask Before You Apply
- Is this a paid job from the beginning?
- Is it a Registered Apprenticeship, an employer-run apprenticeship, another training program or a regular job with training?
- What equipment and work will I learn, and who will teach me on the job?
- How does pay increase as I gain skills?
- Who provides the classes, and can I earn college credit or an industry credential?
- What tools, transportation, physical requirements, licenses, background checks or costs should I expect?
Explore related careers
Consider these careers with overlapping tools, materials, systems or work settings:
Brand Management
Market Research
Product Marketing
Event and Experiential Marketing
Marketing Analytics
Media Planning and Buying
Communications Strategy
Explore opportunities
Search apprenticeships and programs on Apprenticeship.com
Explore Apprenticeship.com state apprenticeship guides
Learn more from official career resources